By Allison Peck
Exercise will bring increased emergency response presence to Centennial Medical Building
Great Plains Health will conduct an active-shooter response drill Friday afternoon in North Platte, giving hospital staff and emergency responders an opportunity to practice their response to a potential threat.
The exercise is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. October 16 at the Centennial Medical Building. Great Plains Health is partnering with the North Platte Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol and other emergency response and preparedness partners.
The drill will simulate an active-shooter incident and the coordinated response by first responders. Officials say the exercise will help participating agencies evaluate their procedures in the event someone enters a Great Plains Health facility intending to cause harm.
“Sadly, we see these types of events happening across the country in many different types of settings, including hospitals,” said Clint Brady, Great Plains Health emergency management coordinator. “This type of training is crucial to prepare our staff to respond in a way that saves lives and mitigates tragedy.”
Community members may notice an increased presence of emergency vehicles and personnel at the Centennial Medical Building during the exercise. That presence could include law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances.
The drill may affect areas within the hospital and emergency department. Signs will be posted to notify patients and visitors that an active-shooter exercise is underway, and staff will be stationed at key entrances to assist people with appointments and answer questions.
Great Plains Health says normal hospital operations will continue during the drill.
The exercise is intended to strengthen coordination among hospital staff and emergency responders and improve preparedness for a potential active-shooter incident.
Great Plains Health is a regional medical center based in North Platte that serves western and central Nebraska, northern Kansas and southern South Dakota.